SCHAUMBURG, IL – The Technology and Manufacturing Association (TMA) this week released its first-ever Legislative Scorecard. The Scorecard ranked legislators on how they voted on the major issues of importance to the manufacturing sector in Illinois in 2015. Issues included; workers compensation, regulations and permitting processes, recyclable metal theft, minimum wage, security breaches and Clean Air Act regulations.
“We thought it was important to take a comprehensive look at where state legislators really stand on issues important to manufacturing,” said TMA Government Relations Committee Chairman Zach Mottl. “Unfortunately, what we found was that while almost everyone claims to be a big supporter of the manufacturing industry and loves to have their campaign photo at one of our plants, the truth is we don’t get the support we need when the votes are counted in Springfield. Legislators who truly support manufacturing will need to cast votes that help reverse the deteriorating business climate for manufacturing in Illinois and not be our friends in name only. Real, meaningful Workers Compensation reform is at the top of that list of needed votes.”
The TMA Legislative Scorecard found that in 2015 only 42% of Illinois House members were pro-manufacturing, while 58% were essentially anti-manufacturing. The Senate numbers were even worse with only 39% seen as pro-manufacturing and 61% were seemingly against manufacturing. The full scorecard can be found HERE.
“Even grading on the curve, the results are disappointing. It is time that lawmakers in Springfield were held accountable for their votes,” stated TMA President Steve Rauschenberger. “Are they working to make it easier or more difficult to do business in Illinois, are they committed to supporting the growth of middle class jobs or are they simply making political promises?”
